Hospitalised victim dies seven days after Lagos explosion (Punch)
Another victim of the explosion that rocked Abule Ado, in the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, has died seven days after the tragedy.
The PUNCH gathered that the victim died on Saturday at the Igbobi Orthopedic Hospital, Surulere.
The victim’s death had increased the number of fatalities recorded from the explosion that rendered hundreds of residents homeless on Sunday to 23.
Confirming the development, the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the female victim died while receiving treatment in the hospital. Read more
Lagos Assembly crisis deepens (Nation)
The crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly has deepened, following the reconstitution of the House Committees.
According to the aggrieved lawmakers, the pre-existing crisis foisted on the House by the suspension of two lawmakers and deposition of two principal officers should have been resolved before reconstituting the committees.
According to the suspended lawmakers, Moshood Oshun and Raheem Olawale, the suspension violated the House Rules.
However, a lawmaker, Bisi Yusuf, who represents Alimoso Constituency 11, urged caution, saying that political solution was necessary. Read more
Coronavirus: Police free suspects, crack down on social gatherings (Punch)
Respite may have come the way of some suspects in police stations across Lagos State as the state police command ordered their immediate release as part of the measure to curtail the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Hakeem Odumosu, on Saturday directed all Divisional Police Officers to release minor offenders in their custody.
The directive came on the heels of steps taken by the federal and state governments to tackle the pandemic which had killed about 13,000 people globally as of Saturday and sickened over 298,000 persons. Read more
Coronavirus: Club, bar owners defy Sanwo-Olu’s ban in Lagos (DailyTrust)
It was business as usual at most clubs, bars and lounges in Lagos last night as many fun seekers and club owners defied the ban on such gatherings of over 20 people by the state government. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had imposed more drastic restrictions on large gatherings as a measure to contain the spread of the ravaging coronavirus. Daily Trust reports that the state government had initially banned religious gatherings of more than 50 people which prompted the shut down of some mosques in Lagos on Friday. Read more
One killed, many injured as hoodlums disrupt peace meeting in Lagos (Nation)
There was pandemonium at a peace accord meeting between Kuje Amuwo Royal family in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos and the Fagbile family when hoodlums numbering about thirty stormed the meeting with dangerous weapons killing one Olohunyo Debo and injured many.
The attack allegedly masterminded by a political thug in the state injured a family head, Alhaji Monsuru Akande and also damaged his vechile.
In a petition written to the Inspector General of Police by the Kuje Amuwo Royal family through their lawyer, Ayodele Omoniyi, the family demanded for the arrest of perpetrators of the attack including one Segun and Ayokunle among others. Read more
‘NEPC, PDF II boost Non-oil export’ (Vanguard)
Nigeria has been a mono-economy for many years, relying solely on crude oil as her major source of revenue.
Before now, agriculture and mining were the primary drivers of Nigeria’s economy, but these have been abandoned since the 70’s as a result of the discovery of oil.
The resultant effect has been a decline in the nation’s economy over the years, leading to massive unemployed and poverty. The crash in the crude oil prices in the international market, more than anything is a wakeup call for Nigeria. In this regard. Read more
COVID-19: Five suspected cases in Nasarawa tested negative (Guardian)
The family of five, who were earlier quarantined for displaying symptoms of coronavirus has tested negative.
Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Pharmacist Ahmed Yahaya disclosed this yesterday.
According to Yahaya, the five persons, who reported themselves, showed signs and symptoms of coronavirus attack and were isolated at the Federal Medical Centre.
“We have received the result of samples sent to Abuja for test and all the five persons tested negative to coronavirus. We will discharge them in due time so that they can reunite with their family members,” Yahaya said. Read more
Oyo suspected carrier tested negative – Makinde (Guardian)
Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has declared that the result of the suspected Coronavirus victim whose blood sample was sent to the National Reference Centre for Southwest, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, was negative.
Makinde, who addressed journalists, after the inaugural meeting of the state’s COVID-19 Task Force, said schools in the state would remain closed till after Easter.
The governor stated that there was still no confirmed case of Coronavirus in the state, adding that the government would do everything within its powers to see that no life is lost to the pandemic. Read more
Northern youths mobilise support for ‘Sanusi 2023’ (Guardian)
Northern Youths, under the aegis of All Northern Youths Project (ANYP), have mobilised support for the deposed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to vie for the 2023 Presidency.
Already, the group has started procuring vehicles and other logistics to support Sanusi’s presidential ambition.
A statement by the group, yesterday, stated: “the campaign for 2023 for the deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi ll has kicked off officially in Kaduna, the defunct capital of Northern Region. Read more
How Nigeria’s kings lost their power (BBC)
From emirs to kings, Nigeria’s traditional rulers are increasingly being humiliated by politicians – and mocked by young people who see them as representing an archaic institution.
The latest example of this was the brutal dethronement of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.
The state governor invoked his constitutional powers to depose the emir after accusing him of “insubordination”.
No-one knows the number of monarchs in multi-ethnic Nigeria but there seems to be one ruling over every inch of land, often putting them at loggerheads with the politicians who have constitutional authority. Read more
Grenfell Tower fraudster jailed after conning council out of £32,000 (Metro)
A man who lied about being a resident of Grenfell Tower to get free accommodation has been jailed for five years after conning a London council out of nearly £32,000.
Shaffick Brimer, 50, was given emergency accommodation intended for displaced residents after telling authorities he lived in a flat with two residents who were killed in the 2017 tragedy.
The Royal Borough of Chelsea and Kensington spent £31,776.59 providing the ‘despicable’ conman with four-star accommodation and food from July to December 2017 when he had been in prison before, during and after the blaze. Read more
Coronavirus cases continue to rise in New York and throughout US (NYPost)
The number of coronavirus cases in New York surged by more than 4,500 on Saturday, jolting the statewide number of infected past 11,600 on the eve of an unprecedented lockdown from Brooklyn to Buffalo aimed at containing the deadly bug.
New York City, which remained the epicenter of the nation’s COVID-19 crisis, accounted for the bulk of the alarming increase. More than 2,400 new cases were reported in the Big Apple, raising the total number of sick to 8,115, city officials said.
The virus killed at least 15 more people in the city on Saturday, officials said, bringing the death toll to 60. The day before, COVID-19 claimed 14 lives between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., a troubling rate of more than one an hour. The statewide coronavirus death toll meanwhile exceeded 70. Read more
Coronavirus: Lombardy region announces stricter measures (BBC)
The Italian region of Lombardy has introduced stricter measures in a bid to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
Under the new rules announced late on Saturday, sport and physical activity outside, even individually, is banned. Using vending machines is forbidden.
The move comes as Italy reported nearly 800 coronavirus deaths on Saturday and saw its toll for the past month reach 4,825, the highest in the world.
Lombardy is the worst-affected region in the country with 3,095 deaths. Read more
Patients with underlying health conditions ‘do recover’ from coronavirus (Metro)
A major hospital trust is hoping to reassure the public that patients with underlying health conditions are recovering after contracting Covid-19.
A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) said the hospitals have seen vulnerable patients recover after contracting the virus.
‘A number of patients we have treated in hospital recently who tested positive and had underlying health conditions recovered well enough after receiving the appropriate care to be discharged home and that is a really important message to share,’ they said in a statement. Read more
OneWeb increases mega-constellation to 74 satellites (BBC)
The London-based start-up OneWeb launched another big batch of satellites on Saturday.
A Soyuz rocket lifted off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, carrying 34 more spacecraft into orbit to continue the build-up of the firm’s broadband internet constellation.
The mission took place despite the coronavirus pandemic, which has limited much space activity elsewhere.
It also comes amid rumours the firm may consider seeking bankruptcy protection. Read more
Motivation tips for working out at home (Metro)
It’s hard to find motivation to workout at the best of times… and these are not the best of times. Our gyms have closed, we’re social distancing and shouldn’t really be leaving the house unless completely necessary. So our workouts are mostly confined to the living room. Without that motivational gym set-up and seeing other people working hard around you, it can be really hard to push yourself. And the sofa is right there… Netflix is calling. But, with weeks of isolation and limited movement on the horizon, it’s more important than ever that we stay active and keep our bodies as healthy as possible. Read more
Coronavirus: No Russia lockdown as Putin puts on show of calm (BBC)
Russia’s president had big plans for this spring, all about stressing stability and projecting strength.
But that agenda has been hijacked by the spread of coronavirus and a dramatic plunge in both the oil price and rouble.
April was earmarked for a vote to approve changes to the constitution, allowing Vladimir Putin to remain in power into his 80s.
May would see a giant military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of Victory Day. Read more
‘Naturally antibacterial:’ Sex doll companies trying to cash in on coronavirus (NYPost)
Sex doll companies have an important public service message: Self-isolating can be fun and safe at the same time.
Abyss, the maker of sex robots RealDolls, assured potential buyers that its dolls are free of COVID-19 in an Instagram post.
“Self-isolating doesn’t have to be the worst! All RealDolls are made from Platinum Grade Silicone and are naturally antibacterial and nonporous! Want one?” The company’s caption reads.
An online publication that reviews sex dolls also posted a blog post trying to combat myths regarding sex dolls and the coronavirus. Read more
Akwa United, Rangers advise players on discipline as clubs go on break (Guardian)
Players of Akwa United and Enugu Rangers have been advised by their managers to maintain discipline and keep fit while on the break forced on Nigerian sports by the Coronavirus outbreak.
The League Management Company (LMC), which manages the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), recently suspended the competition due to the virus that has been spreading fast across the world. And because of this, many of the clubs have sent their players on a short break pending when the league will resume.
According to a statement by Akwa United, players of the team have been advised to maintain high level of discipline both in their eating habits, training and all other acts that would not negate their physical condition as they embark on a one-week break. Read more
Paulo Dybala and Paolo Maldini test positive for coronavirus (BBC)
Juventus and Argentina forward Paulo Dybala and former Italy captain Paolo Maldini have tested positive for coronavirus.
In a message on his Instagram account, Dybala said he and his girlfriend both have the virus but were in good health.
“Both Oriana and I have tested positive,” Dybala, 26, said. “Luckily we are in perfect conditions.”
AC Milan technical director Maldini and his son Daniel both tested positive and a club statement said they “are well”. Read more
Enyimba players escape second robbery attack in four years (DailyTrust)
Eight-time Nigerian champions Enyimba were the victims of an armed attack on their team bus as they returned home following Thursday’s NPFL victory over Adamawa United. No players were seriously injured in the attack, as the bus sped off before the assailants could gain access, but some of the travelling party sustained injuries. The People’s Elephant were making the 830km journey back to Aba following their 2-0 victory in Gombe in the 25th matchday of the domestic league, which has now been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. The attack took place at approximately 19:45 local time in Okigwe, Imo State, along the Enugu-Okigwe-Umuahia Expressway. Read more
What Man Utd coaches have been telling players during coronavirus quarantine (Metro)
Manchester United duo Juan Mata and Lee Grant have lifted the lid on how they have been keeping fit during the coronavirus pandemic, with the club’s coaches giving each player tailed programmes. United shut their Carrington training ground last week with players asked to stay at home instead, and the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba have uploaded clips of their workouts and kickabouts to social media during the quarantine. The club’s website hosted a virtual hangout with Mata and Grant on Saturday – as well as former players Darren Fletcher and Wes Brown – all of whom called in from their homes. Read more
Lorenzo Sanz: Former Real Madrid president dies after contracting coronavirus (BBC)
Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz died on Saturday after being hospitalised with coronavirus.
Sanz, 76, was president at the Bernabeu from 1995-2000, a period in which Real won the Champions League twice.
“My father has just died,” wrote Sanz’s son Lorenzo Sanz Duran on Twitter.
“He did not deserve this end in this manner. One of the best, most courageous and hard working people I have seen in my life. His family and Real Madrid were his passion.” Read more
Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury ‘upset’ with claims he tried to dodge drugs ban (Metro)
Tyson Fury vehemently denied he or any member of his team tried to bribe a farmer to lie for him in 2015 in an attempt to dodge a drugs ban when he was asked about the claims last September.
UK Anti-Doping investigated Fury for a doping violation five years ago when he and his cousin Hughie Fury, who is also a boxer, tested positive for a banned substance, nandrolone.
The heavyweights blamed the positive test on eating contaminated wild boar and the farmer, Martin Carefoot, claims he was approached by a member of Fury’s team and offered £25,000 to say he provided the meat. Read more
NFL provides update on coronavirus contingency plans (NYPost)
The NFL sent an update to players Saturday on its response to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Pro Football Talk.
The website wrote that it got a copy of the memo from NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills, which reportedly was sent to players via the NFL Players Association.
The memo recapped the steps that the league has taken over the past 10 days in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including plans to hold the draft without fans present, postponing offseason team activities (OTAs), closing team facilities to players and banning interaction of players and team staff except for ongoing rehab programs. Read more